• Feb. 10, 2008
Lambs on my lap
And so it begins, lambing season 08! We knew that "Dandy" was getting close to lambing, so we've been keeping a close eye on her. Last night around midnight, I knew she hadn't been checked in a couple hours, so I went out to the barn and she had half a lamb hanging out of her! After a quick trip back to the house to tell everyone, and grab what we call "sheep towels," I got back to the barn just in time to help her clean up baby #1.
We got this one dried off asap, as it was really cold last night, and even in the barn it was only about 20 degrees at this point. Dandy wasn't done yet though.......
Two lambs, a male and a female! But that still wasn't all......
(don't I look great at 2am? ) Triplets!!
We had a feeling Dandy would have triplets - cause Murphy's Law rules around here. And Dandy has no milk for her babies, so naturally she'd have triplets, which now all need to be bottle fed. Every few hours. Round the clock. And it's about 8 degrees out. Fun! (Dandy is a nice ewe with great genetics, but before we owned her she had a bad case of mastitis which ruined her bag. We bought her for almost nothing, but now anytime she lambs, they are automatically bottle babies. But she surely would have been sold for slaughter if we hadn't bought her, so that's something. And now you all know the truth about farmer husband - he's a big softie!!)
The extreme cold (-25 wind chills) has been a concern, but they are in the barn, in a lamb box, with a heat lamp. We even cut the arms off some old sweatshirts to make little lamb sweaters for them.
Last night it was a problem to get them all dried off - babies are gooey and it all tends to stick to their wool. We decided to get the hair dryer and it worked great! (middle son has that mask on so the cold air doesn't aggravate his asthma)
I think it's going to be feeding time again soon, I'd better go!
ps. if you're interested in the Amy Butler pattern give-away, leave a comment here.
Comments
• Feb. 10, 2008
Wow!
Posted by netherfieldmom
Thanks for sharing! Hope you have those fleece-lined jeans from LL Bean. Man, I live in mine. Once I get a pair on, I have to wear them for days or I feel naked. I'll keep checking in on ya to see how it goes!
• Feb. 10, 2008
lambies!
Posted by Anonymous
give my love to the little lambies!
and lizzie too!
xoxox
#1 goat fan jen
• Feb. 10, 2008
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Posted by Anonymous
Goodness, you have your work cut out for you (and the boys!!) The triplets are adorable!! Hopefully it will warm up a bit soon! Try to get some rest!!
Janice
• Feb. 10, 2008
Triplets! Wow!
Posted by Lynn
Those are the cutest thing I've seen in a while. Thanks for sharing!!
• Feb. 10, 2008
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Posted by Danielle
You are all a wonderful brave lot to feed these lambs round the clock like this in this frigid weather! And yes you do look good for 2 am, I'd look like a big old mean grouch lol ;) Stay warm, and happy lamb baby feeding!
• Feb. 11, 2008
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Posted by woolwinder
Are sheep babies as much work as human babies? If so, I guess you won't be sleeping through the night for a while. They are adorable!
• Feb. 11, 2008
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Posted by Anonymous
Congratulations! The baby lambs are so sweet. You all have lots of work cut out for you. Good thing you have such great helpers...you need all the hands you can get!
Stay warm and lots of good luck :)
hakucho
• Feb. 11, 2008
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Posted by Toni
How exciting, but lots of work ahead! The pictures are wonderful. Hope you get some rest soon!.
• Feb. 11, 2008
YAY!
Posted by LLA
I *LOVE* living vicariously through baby-season!!!!
(and I think you look mighty fabulous for anytime of the day, much less 2 am! Look at you rocking your way cool hat....)
• Feb. 11, 2008
baby lambs
Posted by joan
This brings back fond memories of my husbands grandmother when first we met. there were baby lambs in the downstairs shower eating from bottles. Me the city girl had never seen such a thing. Sure are cute.
• Feb. 11, 2008
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Posted by Anonymous
Wow, that is amazing! Congratulations to Dandy. Bottle feeding them is like having to feed a human newborn. Your DH is so sweet to have saved Dandy.
www.oiyi.blogspot.com
• Feb. 11, 2008
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Posted by June
How wonderful to welcome triplets! Despite the work, I think it's so sweet that you saved poor Dandy from slaughter. And look at the beautiful babies she's given you--I love this.
• Feb. 11, 2008
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Posted by June
How wonderful to welcome triplets! Despite the work, I think it's so sweet that you saved poor Dandy from slaughter. And look at the beautiful babies she's given you--I love this.
• Feb. 11, 2008
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Posted by Beth
Those triplets are adorable! I'm not sure I'd want to get up all night to feed them but they sure are cute.
• Feb. 11, 2008
Oh. How. FUN!!!!
Posted by Thimbleanna
Ok, maybe not so early in the morning, but how exciting! I wish I lived closer -- I'd take the 2 am feedings! Are triplets common? That sounds pretty rare to this non-farmer girl LOL. Yipee -- I'm hoping for triplet postings in the future. Hmmm, this could mean my goat loyalty is being split. Who can resist lambies? Especially with Easter coming soon!
• Feb. 11, 2008
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Posted by Emily
Look at you with three baby lambies on your lap! That is so sweet! I'm in awe.
• Feb. 12, 2008
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Posted by Anonymous
Sweetest lambies ever! I love them!!
~kelli
• Feb. 15, 2008
Lambing
Posted by mauser98
You and your family look like you do an excellent job with the responsibility of caring for your animals. Sheep are not the easiest livestock to own, and you've done admirably! I enjoyed the photos very much! Thanks for sharing... By the way, I'm starting to settle into Florida bit by bit. I'm at least emerging to start blogging and Ravelry-ing again! Take care!
